Cutting boards

Cutting boards made from butcher board are probably the best cutting boards on the planet. Every one loves a heavy block cutting board because they are invariably well finished, look beautiful and will last a life-time if properly cared for. This is a review of the best butchers block cutting boards on the market.

Totally Bamboo Congo Parquet End Grain Cutting Board

It is good to see a renewable resource being used to make these boards, and this one is made of bamboo, which is extremely fast growing and even harder than Maple wood.

In fact it is 16% harder than Maple, although there is an argument that the fact that this has to be shipped from Southern Africa makes the environmental damage just as great as using a traditional hardwood – the price of these compared to a Maple or Oak board is massively lower. This one retails through Amazon for less than $50 – considerably less expensive than comparable hardwood boards. This one measures 17-1/4-by-13-3/4-by-1-and is from Totally Bamboo’s African collection, so I assume the wood is African in origin.

This is composed of strips of bamboo laid in end-grain fashion and a pretty parquet-like pattern is achieved by adding dark-colored pieces in the middle and two lighter, curved pieces in the side.

This one is rock hard, and perhaps a tad more destructive on a knife than some of the more traditional boards. But – it looks good, works well and is inexpensive. They do – if you let them stay wet – have a tendency to warp.Buy Bamboo Congo Cutting Board here

John Boos Reversible Maple Cutting Board
John Boos have been making cutting boards since the 1800s and are a well-established firm. The thing to bear in mind with the cheaper models in their range – as this one is, is that they are using edge grain wood, not end grain. Although the two look similar, edge grain is considerably harder on your knife-edges meaning they will need sharpening about twice as often.

Having said that, this is a good, basic board and available in a variety of sizes and thicknesses. I prefer the heft of the 2 ½ inch thick boards and this one will also last indefinitely if well looked after.

Buy John Boos Reversible Maple Cutting Board here

Proteak Teak Cutting Board Rectangle 20-by-14-by-2-1/2-Inch Hand Grip and Juice Canal, End Grain.

This is a genuinely beautiful piece of wood. Made from end grains only and using wood from the company’ sustainable Teak plantations, this is as environmentally friendly as it gets. Rock solid, easy on knives and a work of art in it’s own right.

A lot of people are scared to use these boards when they first buy them, because they are so pretty to look at, but this is one tough board. Although this is considerably more expensive than the bamboo boards, it will last considerably longer – especially if you are using serrated knives, which make the bamboo boards get frayed.

The wood seems to heal itself after cutting and his will almost certainly out live the owner. This company make a range of similar high quality products – highly recommended. Buy the Proteak Teak Cutting Board here